English Language Requirements for Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457)

As Australia has emerged as one of the most sought-after job hub among foreigners who want to work abroad, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) has emerged as the most popular visa category to get into.

The subclass 457 visa allows skilled foreign nationals to work and live in Australia along with their family members for a maximum period of 4 years. After this period, if eligible, they can even apply for permanent residency in Australia.

In order to become eligible to apply for subclass 457 visa, foreign nationals are required to get sponsored for a skilled position by an Australian employer. The visa process includes the submission & selection of applicants’ EOI (Expression of interest), and skills assessment. And to get their visa approved they need to meet certain health, character, and English language requirements.

This article will shed some light on the English language requirements for Temporary Work (Skilled) visa.  
To thrive professionally as a foreigner, it is important that you have a certain level of skills for writing, speaking, listening, and reading English language. To check that, government accepts the scores of a number of international proficiency tests, which are as follow:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Occupational English Test (OET)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Academic test Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (applicable after January 2015)

Here are the required test scores for each test:

• For IELTS, your average score should be 5 with minimum 4.5 in each of the 4 components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
• For OET, you need to score at least a ‘B’ in each of the 4 components
• For TOEFL iBT, your minimum score should be 36, with a minimum score of 12 in three of the four components
• For PTE, your minimum average score should be 36, with at least 30 in each of the 4 sections
• For CAE, your overall average score should be 154, with a minimum score of 147 in each of the 4 sections

Here are some important things that applicants need to know about English language assessment for subclass 457 visa.

• IELTS have two tests under it, academic and general training. In general, applicants are required to take the general training test unless advised otherwise

• If the applicant has been sponsored by a party under labor agreement, he must meet the English language requirements as mentioned in the agreement
  

Additionally, here are the scenarios for exemption from English language proficiency:

• Candidate’s nominated occupation does not require English language proficiency, and:

• He is a citizen of Canada, the UK, the US, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, or;
• He has completed at least 5 years of full-time secondary or higher studies with instructions in English language

Hopefully, this article will help you in getting prepared for your subclass 457 visa in a better way. And to get through the visa process without hurdles, we suggest that you take the assistance of an expert immigration consultant.